Rookie Brian Vickers posted the quickest lap during final practice for
NEXTEL Cup teams. Vickers lap of 182.661 mph bested teammate Jimmie Johnson
for the fastest time.
"I have fond memories of this race track," said Johnson, who ran a ...

"I have fond memories of this race track," said Johnson, who ran a 181.014
mph. "I was able to win with my close friends Stan and Randy Herzog in
their Busch car, the 92 car. It was a special day and this track has been
very good to be. Hopefully I can come back here on Sunday afternoon and
take another trophy home. I had a great time celebrating then and I look
forward to doing it again."

Mark Martin posted the third fastest lap with a 180.409 mph.

"The Viagra Ford is looking good," said Martin. "I feel real confident
about the race on Sunday."

"This week at Chicago, we have to really get after it," said Kahne. "We had
a good first half of the season for a rookie team, but the second half of
the season we've got to really get after it to get in the top 10. It's
something I think about all the time. We had a goal to finish in the top 15
in the points and get the Raybestos Rookie of the Year.

"We started running so well, we know we can get in the top 15 if we do
things right every week. We just need to do things right and we'll get in
the top 10. Right now, we're trying hard and we're working hard, but we
don't deserve to be in the top 10 in the points.

Joe Nemechek completed the top five fastest cars, with a lap 180.210 mph.

Pole sitter Jeff Gordon was only 20th on the speed chart posting a time of
178.861 mph.

"We slowed down quite a bit," said Gordon. "But we will be good for the
race on Sunday."